I apologize if I come off as lazy, but i need something that i can read with exact parts listed for me to buy haha. What are the best shocks out there, the best control arms, the best everything because i don't even know what some things are. for example, why would one want to buy nonstock tie rods? i don't even know what the hell a tie rod is. My point is, what is every single part of a raptor that can be modified, under the car wise, and what is the best part to buy for each. Also, if some pics of what these things look like. Thanks so much ahead of time because i know there are several extremely helpful people on here.
Wow. You probably need to step back a bit, drive the truck as it sits for a while and learn about your truck before you start throwing thousands of dollars worth of modifications at it. Ford delivered a truck that is more capable than you.
Start with the basics. Learn what a control arm is.
Get under your truck and look at the one Ford put on there. Figure out what control arm bushings are and what ball joints are. Google the terms "control arm" & "ball joint" and find them on your truck.
Next, learn what type of steering system your truck has.
Get under your truck and look. Hint, it's a rack and pinion setup with two tie rods going out to the spindle- not a steering box with a bunch of linkages connecting it to the front wheels like most older trucks. Google the term "rack and pinion" & "steering rack" and then go find them on your truck. You should be able to deduce that you can't install a double shock steering stabilizer if you fully understand what you have.
Next, figure out what a spindle/knuckle is. Google the terms "steering knuckle" & "4WD spindle" then go find them on your truck. Figure out what a half shaft is and how it's connected to the spindle.
Get under your truck and follow the half shafts inward and see how they connect to your front differential. Look at how the front differential is mounted and how the front drive shaft connects from the differential to the transfer case.
Read up on the 04+ F150 4WD system. Find out why IWEs suck ass. Find out why the '12 and up Raptors torsion diffs make the situation even worse. Google the term "torsion diff" and "open diff" and figure out the difference.
Get under your truck and find the vacuum line to the hub. Protect that line or you'll be buying new IWEs soon.
Bottom line, you should take the time to understand the basics of your vehicle long before you start showering it in cash hoping for.. uh, what exactly? The coolest truck in your town?
Since you threw out the terms "leveled" and "lift" you clearly are on the wrong track. This is not a F250 that needs the full bro-dozer treatment. Aftermarket parts for a Raptor are very expensive and are targeted for a particular use.
I'm sure you'll ignore me and just buy whatever someone tells you to and pay someone to install it, but you'll be way better off learning what's what, determining what parts are best for your usage (hint probably keeping it stock is your best bet for quite a long time) and installing the parts yourself using the proper tools and methods. Yes, the tools needed to install the parts will cost as much as the parts, but you only need to buy the tools once.
